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Aging in place gets harder for US seniors as support gaps widen

The survey found 90% of seniors face at least one social barrier to healthy aging, and aging-in-place challenges rose to 68% from 2025.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Residential

HousingWire reports on new findings from Alignment Health’s 2026 Social Threats to Aging Well in America survey, conducted with Ipsos, which says 90% of U.S. seniors face at least one social barrier that affects their health, independence, or access to care.

The study, which polled more than 2,200 adults ages 65 and older, identifies aging-in-place difficulties, healthcare access issues, and economic instability as the top threats for the third straight year, with aging-in-place challenges reported by 68% of respondents, up 4 points from 2025.

According to the survey, more than one-quarter of seniors skipped needed medical care in the past year, commonly citing access barriers and mobility or independence issues, while nearly two-thirds said they face healthcare barriers such as long appointment waits.

Alignment Health also said support gaps are widening, with 38% of respondents reporting they lack sufficient support systems, and 54% citing economic instability, including 16% who carry medical debt and 22% who are unsure they can cover future medical expenses.

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